Automatic ball-racking device for billiard-tables.



J. B. RUSSELL.

AUTOMATIC BALL RACKING DEVICE FOR BILUARD TABLES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16. 1914.

1,227,833.. Patented May 29, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l- J. B. RUSSELL. AUTOMATIC BALL RACKING DEVICE FOR BILLIARD TABLES. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16. 1914.

1,22%8330 Patented May 29, 1917.

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J. B. RUSSELL. AUTOMATIC BALL BACKING DEVICE FOR BILLIARD TABLES- APPLICATlON FILED JUNE 16 I914- Patented May 29, 1917.

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3. B. RUSSELL. AUTOMATIC BALL RACKJNG DEVICE FOR BILUARD TABLES.

APPLICATION FILED IU NE 6. 19M. 1,22%833o Patented May 29, 1917.

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I n i) W Z //I JOSEPH B. RUSSELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC BALL-BACKING DEVICE FOR BILLIARD-TAIBLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2% 1917.

Application filed .Tune 16, 191'4. Serial No. 845,419.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrn B. RUSSELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful. Automatic Ball-Racking Device for Billiard-Tables, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices whereby each player in a game of pocket-billiards may, by actuating either electrical or mechanical means, each time he suspends play, cause the balls pocketed by him to pass or run into his individual rack, showing, as the game progresses, the balls to each players credit. It may be here stated that I consider the term rack to be construed in its ordinary and generic acceptation, to-wit any depository, receptacle, compartment, repository, trough, runway or the like adapted to permit or allow the passage and reception of pocket-billiard or pool balls.

By the elimination of the drudgery of picking up, carrying and racking the balls, the fascination of these games is increased and the players are permitted to enjoy them longer before physical tire forces them to uit.

It will be observed, as the nature of the invention is better understood, that the construction of the electrically equipped device is such that it cannot be operated until a ball has been and is on the spring contact board 45. This is to protect the device from idlers and other curious persons and from a player with a mistaken ideathat he has pocketed a ball. Frequently one or more of the balls is overlooked. There are many other objections to the present mode known for racking pocket-billiard balls, and one of the main objects of my invention is to provide means of such nature that all the drudgery, disputes, delay, difliculties and objectionable features will be obviated. One of these objectionable features is that the retiring player, in and by the act of walking around or about the table racking the balls holed by him, frequently discommodes and disconcerts the succeeding player.

It is a further object to so dispose and place the rack that the balls therein contained will be in view of the players, in

order that the score may at any time, durmg or after completion of the game, be ascertained.

Another object is to provide means, visible to all the players from any point about the table, as miniature electric lamps, one of which is automatically lighted simultaneously with the act of the retiring player resulting in the discharge of the pocketed balls from their place or places of deposit, and their entrance into his individual rack, indicating to all players in the game which players rack received the balls.

Still another object is to provide means whereby all the balls may be simultaneously discharged from the several individual racks into a basket or other suitable receptacle.

A further object is to add novelty to the appearance of the table.

Other objects will presently appear. Some of these will be obvious, while others will be specifically pointed out.

My invention is of such a nature that not only may it be incorporated in and with a table specially constructed and adapted therefor, but it may be with ease and facility attached to either an ordinary old-style table or to one equipped with a system of runways and common receptacle such as heretofore made.

In order that the nature of my invention may be fully understood, I have hereto appended drawings in which both a preferred and a modified form thereof are illustrated. In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan, partly broken away, of a pocket billiard table in which the principal features of my invention are incorporated: Fig. 2 a side elevation of the same corner of the table, showing parts of the improvement in vertical section, the plane thereof taken substantially in the line 22 in Fig. 1: Fig. 3, a detail of one of the switch-plates or bars; Fig. 8, an end .view of one of the cut-offs; Fig. 4, a modification, showing manually actuated means for carry ing out several of the features of the invention; Fig. 5, a sectional view in the line 55 in Fig. 4, some of the view being in elevation; Fig. 6, an enlarged perspective detail of one of the cut-offs or switch-points shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 7, a top-plan diagram of the means for delivering the balls from the pockets or openings in the table, to the racks; Fig. 8, a side-elevation, partly broken away; and Fig. 9, a diagram of one method of wiring, showing also an embodiment of the invention operatively connected therewith.

Considering said drawings in detail, and referring to each element (and part thereof where required) by a distinguishing numeral, uniformly employed, 5' designates a pocket-billiard or Fpool table of which 6,6 indicates the legs; 7 the sides; 8, the ends; 9, dependent pieces beneath the sides; 10 rail-casings; 11, rails; and 12, pockets. No attempt has been made to show the bed, the cushions, the cloths, and numerous other parts of a complete table, nor to. show accuracy of detail as regards the parts thereof shown, as the particular construction thereof does not concern my invention per se, it (the invention) being applicable to tables varying greatly in structural characteristics.

Supported as desired beneath the bed is a series of inclined runways 14, one communicating with each pocket 12, which pockets are of course bottomless. All these runways, which may be of any preferred and suitable construction, have a common hopper-like terminal, 15, arranged at the central portion of the table and in a plane lower than that of the initial end of the ways. The terminal may be of any suitable character, but is shown as cup-shaped on its interior and provided with an outlet which communicates with an inclined delivery-chute 16. The construction and arrangement of the runways, hopper-like terminal and delivery-chute is optional, and they may be equipped with linings or sounddeadeners if preferred. I have not deemed it necessary to encumber this specification and the drawings hereof with descriptions of such unessential elements and matters, inasmuch as they are common to kindred devices. It will be evident that if preferred the balls may drop from the ends of the respective runways directly into the chute 16.

Preferably embedded in one or more of the rails 11 is a series of miniature electric lamps 76, the bulb of each being of a distinct color, each different from the others,

for a purpose presently recited. These may be suitably guarded from accidental breakage.

Arranged at any suitable places, convenient o'f access but not where liable to be accidentally touched by a player, are stations of push-buttons 21., 22, 23 and 24:,

' also for a purpose presently described. In

asmuch as these buttons are preferably placed where they are" not liable to beac'cidentally actuated, and therefore not in plain sight of the player, I place immedi' ately over each a number corresponding thereto, as shown at w, w, y and 2, Figs. 1 and 9. These push button indicating numbers are preferably either each distinctively colored or located on a spot which is distinctively colored and which corresponds to the color of the miniature lamp on that circuit. It will be found in practice that if the thumb be placed on one of these numbers, the index finger will automatically seek the button below it.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 4C, 5 and 6. 25 designates a rack-floor provided with narrow slots 26. 27 designates an end or closure, and 28, 29 designate side rails. 30, 31 and 32 designate partitions, which together with the floor 25 and rails 28, 29 provide individual racks 33, 34:, 35 and 36. Of these there may be any preferred number. 37 is a curved ballguide. 70, 7O designate each a game-ball. 80, 80 designate cut-offs or mechanical switch points, each comprising a plate-like portion 81 working in a slot 26, a flanged, bent-over top 82 sliding on the top edge of a partition, and a curved end 83 adapted to deviate the balls from the way 16 into the proper compartment, as will presently be described. 84, 84, 84, 8 1 8 1 and Sa designate bosses carried on the base 81 and each provided with an axially arranged eye 84.

Secured to the lower surface of the floor 25 is a series of brackets 85, 86, 87 and 88, the vertically arranged arm of each being provided with transversely arranged eyes 89. 90 designates a cord one end of which is knotted to prevent its escape from an eye of the bracket 88. Said cord passes through the eyes 8 84 and 84c and through an eye89 in each of the vertical bracket arms, and may be termed the cut-ofi-return cord,

' as an actuation thereof returns any projecting cut-off to its normal position. 91 desig; nates a cord for actuating the cut-off working in rack 35. One of its ends is knotted to the bracket 88 and its flight passes thence through the eye in the boss'84 and thence through eyes in the brackets 87 86 and 85.

92 designates a cord for actuating the cut-- off for rack 34. It'is secured to bracket 87 and passes thence through the boss 84- and through eyes in'brackets 86, 85. 93 designates a cord for actuating the cut-off in rack 33. It is secured to bracket 86 and passes through the boss 84: and thence through an eye in bracket 85. 94 designates a gate pivoted at 96' to the adjacent bar 28.

It is provided with a slot 95 through which the free ends of allthe' described cords pass.

Intermediate the gate 94: and bracket 85,

each cord is knotted as shown at 97 to permit it to raise the gate as presently described.

At the terminals of the racks is a door 66, shown best in Figs. 1 and 7, wherebv, when the game is finished or all the balls pocketed, they may be released and will drop into a basket or other receptacle placed at the end of the rack, and in a manner common to some pocket-billiard tables.

In some games it is desirable that the use of the gate (62 in Fig. 1, and 94 in Figs. 4. and be dispensed with, whereby the balls would run into a single rack and from thence to the usual basket. In order to accomplish this, I have shown in Figs. 4 and 5 a gate-supporting pin secured on one end of a string 108, the other end of which is attached to the gate. Any other suitable means, suitably positioned and suitably secured, may be employed, on either gate. The pin 107 is adapted to be inserted in a recess in the side of the rack-box, to so support the gate that the balls will pass freely thereunder.

The operation of the manually actuated device is as follows: Assume all the cutoffs 80 to be in normal positions and a ball 70 to have been holes in either pocket 12. It would fall into the adjacent runway 14 and by gravity would pass into the common receiver 15 and thence into the delivery chute 16, at the terminal of which it would be stopped by the gate 94. If more balls were pocketed by the same player they would follow, no matter into which pocket they entered. The retiring player would pull that cord (for instance, the one numbered 92) which corresponds with his playing number (as is well known to followers of the game) whereupon the cord would, in drawing taut, draw on the boss 84 to throw it and the sliding cut-off on which it is fixed, forwardly, into the operative position shown in Fig. 4. The knot 97 is so placed that at the instant at which said cut-off reaches said position it (the knot) will come in contact with the lower edge of the gate 94 and elevate its free end to permit a ball or balls to pass thereunder. The player will hold the gate open until all the balls in the chute 16 have passed. beyond the gate.

The next player, if he has scored, will upon suspending or finishing play, draw upon that cord which corresponds to his rack, thereby throwing the proper cut-off into operative position. Assume him to have drawn upon cord 93. Said cord will draw the boss 84 and thereby its attached'cut-ofi forwardly. into operative position. In so moving, the boss 84 on the same cut-ofi' will draw on the return string 90 at the opposite end of the cut-off and return to its inoperative or normal position that cut-ofi which was previously thrown forward. It is to be observed that the forward movement of one cut-off is simultaneous with the return movement of the other, but that the gate does not raise (or open) until both cut-cits have completed their throws.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 9, 40 designates a box, supported by brackets 41 or in any other suitable manner beneath the table. The rear end portion of the ball-rack floor 25 is supported on the rear end of said box, its front being suitably secured to and supported by the front end of said box and its sides by the sides thereof. Said floor 25 is cut away at 42. is a sub-floor secured by screws 44 to the main floor 25 and lying underneath the opening 42. 45 is a spring con tact board hinged at 46 to the end of the box 40. 47 is a light compression spring adapted to hold the free portion of the spring contact board somewhat elevated, whereby a contact point 48 carried thereby is held normally out of contact with a contact point 49 supported by the subfloor 43. This contact is shown as closed in Figs. 2 and 9. 106 designates a buffer for closing the gap between the end of each partition and the adjacent end of the cut-off.

50, 50 designate solenoids having each a core 51. Quick-acting solenoids are preferably here used, in order to throw the switch points more rapidly than the solenoid 59 operates the gate. (In Fig. 1 the solenoid engaged with the extended switch point 65 is shown as energize l. In Fig. 2 the one shown in full lines is energized, and in Fig. 9 the one which is connected with that switch point shown in dotted lines is, when so actuating said switch-point, energized.) Engaged with the head of. each of three of these solenoid cores is a wood or other suitable non-magnetic stem 52. Engaged with the foot of each of these four cores are suitable nonanagnetic stems 53 having each an eye 54 for the engagement of one end of a retractile spring 55, the other end of which is secured to a hook 56 in the floor 25. 57, 57 are plates provided with apertures in which the stems 52 move. 58 designates an apertured bumper; one is arranged on each stem 52.

59 designates a solenoid having a core 60 provided with a head 61 having on each of its faces a bumper. When the solenoid 59 is inert, the lower bumper rests on the floor of the box 40, and when it is energized the upper bumper comes into contact with the lower end of the solenoid. 62 is a gate pivoted at 63 to the side of the box 40. 63 is a rubber bumper. 63 is a guide and stop for the gate.

Arranged in the floor 25 are slots 64. In each slot 64 the base of a cut-0E or switch point 65 (shown in end View at Fig. 3 is slidably mounted, and the terminal of each is engaged by a stem 52. The sides of the box 40 together with the partitions 30, 31 and 32 and floor 25 provide racks for the balls used in playing the game. There may, of course, be any suitable number of these racks, and they are preferably so arranged that the balls therein will be visible to the players. This, however, as well as their position and placement with reference to the table is optional. The discharge ends of the racks are closed by a door 66 secured on arms 67 pivoted on the sides of the box 40.

No particular system or character of wiring is essential to the successful operation of my apparatus when it is electrically operated. In the system or plan shown a represents a foreign source of electric supply, (as a central station) wherein are shown a D. C. generator 7), resistance 0 and switch points (Z. A knife switch 0 adapted to engage either said contacts (Z or contacts 7 connected with a local battery 9. t indicates a condenser.

7 0' designates one of a plurality of switch plates each having blades 71. They may be secured at any convenient place in or about i the framework of the table, but are shown as arranged below the piece 10. Each of these plates is connected in series with the return wire 2'. When a push-button 21, 22, 23 or 24: is actuated, (the contact 48 -49 being closed by the weight of a ball, as will presently appear) said button will throw the proper blade 71 into contact with the proper switch point 72, 7 3, 74 or 75 to complete the circuit. As above incidentally mentioned, the circuit is normally open in two places. The first of these is closed by reason of a game ball running onto the spring-contact board 45, thus closing the contact -l8 l9.

Now assume one of the buttons 23 to have been pressed while a ball is detained at the gate 62 and its weight closing contact l8-l9, and the consequent operations to have taken place as above described. The path of the current would start at y, Fig. 9, thence through 76 to Z, thence to m and through the switch closed by the push button, thence to and through wire 2" and the miniature lamp 76, thence to and through the solenoid numbered 3 to point 0, thence through contact 4-8, 4.9 and solenoid 59 and back to the source. The solenoid 59 is thus energized, and its core will act'to raise the gate (52. Simultaneously the solenoid 3 will be energized and the insulated pin 77 which projects radially from its core will strike the switch-blade 78 and drive it into contact with switch-blade 79, whereby the latter is driven down to the dotted line po sition shown in Fig. 9, to separate it from the contact point 105. The path through the wire 6, push button 23, and wire 2" is then dead and the path of the current is then as indicated by the return-curve arrow (Fig. 9). (A ball 70 is assumed to have been on the spring contact-board 45, its weight closing the contact 48, -19, and that it is still there,rolling thereon). Starting again at the point 7' and traversing the same path as above described to 70, the current flows through the blades 79, 78 and thence through the solenoid 3 to the point 0 and then back to the source of power, as above described. As the core of the solenoid 3 was drawn thereinto it forced the stem 52 and. connected cut-off to the dotted line position shown in said figure. As soon as the ball rolls from off the spring contact board 45, those two solenoids which have been in operation become deenergized and the cutoff will be drawn to its normal (full line) position by means of its spring 55, and simultaneously the gate 62 closes.

It will be understood that each of the differently colored lamps is lighted by an actuation of any push-button on the circuit with which it corresponds; that the heavyline numerals on the solenoid cores in Fig. 9 designate those solenoids which are actuated by any corresponding (heavy faced) numbered push-button in Figs. 1 or 9; that there may be any suitable number of racks; that for each rack there is a plurality of corresponding push-buttons, a lamp and a solenoid; that there is a solenoid common to all the circuits; that until a game-ball depresses the spring contact-board -45 no effect can be produced should a push button be manipulated; that as long as a ball remains thereon after a button has been pushed, the gate re.- mains open, and that as soon as the last ball has rolled off the spring contact board, the spring 4:7 acts to raise said board and thereby separate the contact points 48, 49, breaking the circuit, the proper spring 55 will act to return to its normal position. that cut-off 65 which was just previously in operative position. The spring 47 returns said board 4-5 to its normal position as soon as the last ball leaves it. It will be noted also that no cut-off 65 is or need be connected with solenoid 4'; that said solenoid performs no mechanical function. The reason for dispensing with a cut-off for the corresponding rack is that the gravity of the rolling ball will carry it properly thereto.

In the foregoing specifications, I have incidentally referred to some of the modes which might be adopted in the practice of my invention. but have not endeavored to specify all which might be employed, the object of this specification being to instruct persons skilled in the art to carry out the invention in either the wholly mechanical or the electro-mechanical form shown; and I desire it to be distinctly understood that specific mention by me of some modifications is by no means intended to exclude others not referred to, but which are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, considered in their broadest aspect.

I claim as new:

1. The combination with a billiard table having pockets, of a plurality of ball-racks, a return-way communicating therewith, one or more diverters adapted to be moved to establish communication between the return way and each of said racks, a gate in said return way intermediate said pockets and racks, and means for operating said gate and a selective one of said diverters.

2. The combination with a billiard table having pockets, of a plurality of ballracks, a return-way communicating therewith, one or more diverters adapted to be moved to establish communication between the returnway and each of the ball racks, a gate in said return way intermediate said pockets and racks, and means for simultaneously opening said gate and a selective one of said racks.

8. The combination with a billiard table having a plurality of pockets, of a plurality of ball-racks, a ball-way between said pockets and racks, a contact adapted to be operated by a ball, a plurality of cut-offs working one in connection with one of a plurality of said racks, an electric circuit, said contact therein, electro-mechanical means for moving each of said cut-oils in one direction, and means for moving each cut-off in the opposite direction, the electric circuit for operating said electro-mechanical means being a part of that containing said ball-operated contact.

4:. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of ball-racks, a ball delivery chute leading thereto, a ball-actuated contact disposed intermediate said chute and racks, cut-oiis associated with each of a plurality of said racks, a source of electric energy, means in communication with said source whereby each of said cut-offs may be moved in one direction, and means for moving the moved cut-oii" to normal position.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of ball-racks, a returnway communicating therewith, one or more diverters adapted to be moved to establish communication between the return-way and each of said racks, an electric circuit, a ballactuated contact adapted to make and break it, cut-ofis, one working in connection with one of a plurality of said racks, electro-magnets in said circuit, means for connecting each cut-off with a solenoid core, and means whereby each electro-magnet so connected mav be individually energized whereby it will move its connected cut-oil in one direction.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of ball-racks, a returnway communicating therewith, one or more diverters adapted to establish communication between the return-way and each of said racks, an electric circuit, ball-actuated electro-mechanical means adapted to make and break it, cut-offs working one in connection with each of said racks, and electromechanical means in said circuit, adapted to move a selective one of said cut-ofis in one direction.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of ball-racks, a returnway communicating therewith, one or more diverters adapted to be moved to establish communication between said way and each of the racks, an electric circuit open in two places, ball-actuated means adapted to close one of said places, manually actuated electro-mechanical means for closing the other or said open places, a plurality of cut-offs arranged each in connection with one of a plurality of said racks, and means in said circuit for moving a selective one of said cut-offs in one direction.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of ball-racks, an electric circuit, a ball-actuated contact adapted to make and break it, solenoids adapted to be individually cut out of said circuit by reason of the breaking of said contact, a plurality of mechanical cut-offs movable each to cooperate with one of said racks, means for connecting a selective one of a plurality of the cores of said solenoids to a cut-off, and means for energizing a selective one of said solenoids and thereby causing its core to move the connected one of said cut-offs.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of ball-racks, a return way communicating therewith, cutofis adapted to be moved to establish communication between said way and each ball-rack, an electric circuit, a ball-actuated contact adapted to make and break it, solenoids in said circuit, means for connecting each cutoff with a solenoid core, and means in said circuit for individually energizing each solenoid so connected, whereby the core of a selective one will move and thereby impart movement in one direction to that cut-0E with which it is engaged.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of ball racks, an electric circuit, a ball-actuated contact adapted to make and break it, cut-offs, one associated with each of a plurality of said racks, solenoids in said circuit, means for connecting each cut-off with a solenoid core, means in said circuit for individually energizing each solenoid so connected, whereby to move its core and thereby that cut-on to which it is connected, and means for closing and opening the terminals of said racks.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of ball-racks, an electric circuit, ball actuated electro mechanical means adapted to make and break it, cut-ofi's each associated with one of a plurality of said racks, electro-Inechanical means in said circuit, adapted to move a selective one of said cut-offs in one direction, and means for moving it in the opposite direction.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of ball racks, an electric circuit a ball-actuating contact adapted to make'and break it, cut offs, each movable with relation to one or a plurality of said racks, ele ctro-magnets in said circuit, means fol-connecting each cut-off with an electromagnet, means whereby each magnet so connected maybe individually energized Whereby 'to'move its cooperating cut-01f in one direction; and means for moving said cut-01f in the opposite direction.

13. The combination with a billiard table having pockets, of a plurality of ball-racks, means of communication between said pock- Gopies of this patent may he obtained for ets and racks a gate intermediate said pockets "and racks, a" solenoid; solenoid-coir trolled means for opening said gate and substantially simultaneously diverting a ball into a selective one of said raoks' 14. The combination in a pocket billiard table with the pockets thereof, of ball-racks, r eturnways a'common terminal for the return Ways having a delivery chute extending past the ball-racks, and aplurality of cutoffs, one for each rack except the one at the extreme end of the delivery chute, having means which cooperate with the delivery chute to deflect the balls into'a selective one of said racks.

In testimony that claim the foregoing as my invention, I hereto sign my name at Saint Louis in the State or Missouri this 11th day of June, 1914.

JOSEPH B. RUSSELL.

In presence of P. RO DEA GRAYCE WILSON.

Washington, D. G. 

